When giving up is no option.

You do not achieve a goal just by setting it. It takes constant effort over an extended period. Here are the five must-dos on how to reach your goals.

1. Know Your Goal

Before embarking on your journey, try to understand your goal and where it fits in the bigger picture.

This clarity alone will make all the ensuing points much easier and help you beat procrastination and resistance.

The worst thing is reaching your goal and not being happy, whether on the road to get there or when you achieve it.

Ask yourself if it is your goal or someone else’s.

When it is your goal, you will work with that much more tenacity.

And even when you help someone else (i.e. your boss) to achieve their objectives, you will know if it is still in alignment with your goals or at the expense of them.

If you don’t know what your goals are, you can do some soul searching. Childhood dreams are always a good place to start.

2. Refocus Daily

Take time each day to be still and assess where you are going. Correct course if necessary.

Your daily chores, random events and even your emotions will scatter your focus in all directions.

What separates successful people from their unsuccessful counterparts is, that they consciously decide where they want to be and how they want their life to look.

They then create the habit of reminding themselves of their vision.

The best way to do this is by saying affirmations. Those are positive statements about yourself in the present tense, telling your mind that you already reached your goal.

Say your affirmations out loud, at least twice a day, first thing in the morning after waking up and the last thing in the evening before going to sleep.

Your sub-conscious mind then will go to work, helping you make your goal a reality.

3. Allow For Detours

The path to your goal is not a straight line. It has twists and turns, sometimes even leading you further away.

You start with an initial strategy for reaching your goal. But since you don’t know, what you don’t know, all kinds of obstacles, which you haven’t anticipated, will seemingly appear out of nowhere.

You might have to learn a new skill, start a side-project or find alternate means of financing.

This point is especially true, if it is a far out goal, and it can take months or even years of your time.

One thing is sure, overcoming each obstacle will make you stronger and prepare you for the road ahead.

4. Find Allies

Search for people that share the same vision in the area of your goal.

Depending on the size of your goal, you might need help to accomplish it.

The right people will push each other through the inevitable setbacks.

The wrong ones will hinder or even try to sabotage the whole operation.

To find the right candidates don’t disclose your goal to just anyone.

In your daily interactions, you need to probe them for shared values and work ethic. Only if your are certain, should you be more open.

Word of advice:
Always include everybody, who is necessary for the successful completion of the project, at least, to some extent. Keep the details to your inner circle. And even with them don’t confuse this temporary alliance with friendship.

5. Keep Going

No matter your current situation you always have to move on.

Perseverance in the face of adversity and complacency is one of the most important traits.

Whether you work alone or already have assembled your team, you will not reach your goals by staying where you are.

It is easy to get disheartened and want to give up when you go through the hardest time in your life.

It is also understandable to wish to rest on your laurels, when, after all your effort, you finally have some success.

Force yourself to always keep going.

Replenish your resources. Enjoy yourself for a few hours. And then be at it again.